Is the laying feed ok?

[MegsEggsx]

I have 10 chickens, 7 of them are laying and the other 3 are silkies who are about 15 weeks old. I am not 100% sure of the genders of the silkies but I am pretty sure 1 is male and the other 2 are girls. They switched to the feed that I fed the rest of the flock when they were about 9 weeks old (I know, probably a little young but they just stopped eating their stuff and began eating the other), that was a mix of sunflower seeds, crushed corn and other seeds and stuff. We ran out of the normal stuff and my dad brought home this layer feed stuff (pellets). I read the packet and it said something about being for laying hens and girls that are become point of lay. Would this be ok for my younger ones? I am especially worried about the one that could be a boy. Will it be ok for them all to eat it? I mean they will still probably eat it even if I gave another option right? So I would have to take it all away, which would be a bit of a waste.

 

[RoosterML]

Just feed it he’ll be fine. You’re talking about one bag. It would be best if they were all laying but you have it so don’t waste it. If you pick up non layer feed just mix them 50/50

 

[MegsEggsx]

Just feed it he’ll be fine. You’re talking about one bag. It would be best if they were all laying but you have it so don’t waste it. If you pick up non layer feed just mix them 50/50

Thanks, not sure if I will be able to get new feed too soon so glad they will be ok. Forgot to mention it is not their only source of food, they free range every day and get food scraps often.

 

[Aapomp831]

I have 10 chickens, 7 of them are laying and the other 3 are silkies who are about 15 weeks old. I am not 100% sure of the genders of the silkies but I am pretty sure 1 is male and the other 2 are girls. They switched to the feed that I fed the rest of the flock when they were about 9 weeks old (I know, probably a little young but they just stopped eating their stuff and began eating the other), that was a mix of sunflower seeds, crushed corn and other seeds and stuff. We ran out of the normal stuff and my dad brought home this layer feed stuff (pellets). I read the packet and it said something about being for laying hens and girls that are become point of lay. Would this be ok for my younger ones? I am especially worried about the one that could be a boy. Will it be ok for them all to eat it? I mean they will still probably eat it even if I gave another option right? So I would have to take it all away, which would be a bit of a waste.

Chickens should not eat layer feed at 9 weeks... and a mixture of corn and sunflower seeds is NOT good for them, except as an occasional treat. They should be eating a proper chicken food. When you have chickens of all ages and genders, you need All Flock or Flock Raiser - then just put out a side of free choice oyster shell for the layers. Don’t worry about them not eating it - leave it out, offer nothing else. They will eat before starving to death - I guarantee it.

 

[MegsEggsx]

Chickens should not eat layer feed at 9 weeks... and a mixture of corn and sunflower seeds is NOT good for them, except as an occasional treat. They should be eating a proper chicken food. When you have chickens of all ages and genders, you need All Flock or Flock Raiser - then just put out a side of free choice oyster shell for the layers. Don’t worry about them not eating it - leave it out, offer nothing else. They will eat before starving to death - I guarantee it.

I knew it wasn't super healthy for them at 9 weeks, we ran out of it and I couldn't find any chick or young chicken feed at the pet store for a while. And besides, they are 15 weeks now, healthy and I have never seen any of them look ill ever.

 

[NatJ]

I knew it wasn't super healthy for them at 9 weeks, we ran out of it and I couldn't find any chick or young chicken feed at the pet store for a while. And besides, they are 15 weeks now, healthy and I have never seen any of them look ill ever.

Layer feed is better than no feed.
The right feed is better yet.

Layer feed for one meal or one day won't hurt them, but when they eat it for months the extra calcium in layer feed can gradually cause issues if they have not been laying eggs.

The problems happen gradually, but that also means there is no quick fix after problems show up. When problems do happen, it tends to be some chickens but not all of them--maybe some are more sensitive to calcium levels than others.